Automobile window operating means



June 4, 1935.

w. F. SHETZLINE AUTOMOBILE WINDOW OPERATING MEANS Filed Sept. 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Shet 1 June 4, 1935. w. F. SHETZLINE 2,003,614

AUTOMOBILE WINDOW OPERATING MEANS Filed Sept. 11,. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .v 2,003,614

UNITED STATES PATEIJT; OFFICE.

. 2,003,614 I i AUTOMOBILE wmnoworsaa'rmo ms I Walter Shetzllne, Los Angeles, cairn Application September-[11, 1933, Serial No. 688,977

12 Claims. (oi. zea -125) My invention relates-to improved means for moved freely when the raising and lowering operating the sliding glass panels of windows means is operated." and the invention as herein disclosed is espe- A further object of-my invention is, to procially designed for usein conjunction with the vide simple'and efllcient means for cushioning 5 windows of motor vehicles, railway coaches and the window frame or "panel from its sudden 5 the like. T: p I descent at the termination of its downward One of the principal objects of my invention travel. i is, to provide relatively simple, practical and Further objeots'of my inventionare, to proeflicient means for raising and lowering a winvide means atthe sidesand'top of the frame 1 dow or sliding glass panel within its frame and in 'which the sliding paneloperates for eflec 10 my improved construction utilizes as its motive tually preventing vibration and consequent ratforce, the partial vacuum developed within the tie oi the sliding frame or panel, further, to' intake manifold of the internal combustion em provide a window operating mechanism that gine that is utilized for driving the motor vemay be conveniently installed within aconvex l5 hicleand while this source of power for effecting or curved door or vehicle body and further, to movements of the window within its frame has provide a construction of the character referred heretofore been used, the present invention conto that u ilize n elliptical y r 0 hat templates an improved arrangement for utilizing he qu re Piston area may be Obtained Withthis source of power. a in the limited space between the sliding panel or A further object of my invention is,- to prodoor and the wall of the door or vehicle body. 20 vide a vacuum actuated window operating A further object of my invention is, toprovide mechanism and to combine therewith a brake a master valve that is incorporated within the or clutch construction for holding the window distributing valve and which master valve is or sliding panel in both open and closed posiespecially designed so as to retain the vacuum :35 tions as well as in any adjusted intermediate that prevails within the storage tank forming positions. The'invention also contemplates an a part of the operating means. I arrangement whereby thebrakeor clutch mech- .A further object or the invention is toprovide anism acts automatically and in synchronism in e d u ng Valve, D hBfdmed with the window raising and lowering operasteel balls for the purpose of minimizing wear tion so that when it is desired to raise or lower W th n S d v v d enabling the latte! to be 30 the window the brake or clutch will be automateasily operated at all times and further, to proically released to permit the raising and lowervide an improved form of check valve that will ing mechanism to fun'ctionand when the win be highly eifective in retaining the vacuum that dow has been raised or lowered to the desired prevails within the storage tank.

:15 point, the brake or clutch will/automatically My present inventionis an improvement upon reengage a part of the operating mechanism the auto window operating means forming the to effectually clamp and hold the same against subject matterof U. S. Letters Patent No. further movement. i i 1,919,671, issued to me August 25, 1933.

A further object of the invention is, to pro- With the foregoing and other objects'in view 40 vide simple and efllcient meansfor guiding the my invention consists in certain novel features WiIlClOW in its movements from one position t0 of construction-and arrangementsof parts that an th r and f snu ly a n the sid edges will be hereinafter more fully described and of the window or sliding. panel while at rest. claimed illustrated in the accompanying In this connection it hasheretofore been the drawings in h general practice to provide felt runnersfor the 1 is an elevational View amotor vehicle 45 sliding glass panels of automobile windows and door having a Sliding glass panel f closing doors, but these felt runner; thave g teradency the window opening the upperportion of the to absorb moisture and swe o sue a egree door and showing-my improved window 0pemt during damp weather as to render it difllcult I to open or close the window or panel. mg means assocmted with said ,door and Sliding 50 My improved construction is especially depanel signed to eliminate this amenity and enables a 2 is a vertical Section t e onthe the window frame" or glass paneltov be firmly 2-1 of Fig. 1. gripped and held "in, any. position and at the Fig.. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on i same time permits the frame or panel to be the line 3-4 of Fig. 1. a B6 Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the lower portion of the elliptic cylinder and showing the brake or clutch that is utilized for clamping a moving part of the operating mechanism to hold the same after movement.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 48 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical on the line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the valve that is utilized for controlling the window operating mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken through the center of the valve and showing the operating handle in its normal neutral position.

section taken Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 9'

and showing the parts of the valve and the operating handle thereof in the positions that they assume when the mechanism is actuated to lower the window or sliding panel.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view similar to Figs. 9 and 10 and showing the valve and operating handle in the positions assumed when the mechanism is actuated to raise the, window.

Referring by numerals, to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, l0 designates the door of a motor vehicle, which doorls provided in its upper portion with a window opening ii and which opening is adapted to be-closed by a sliding glass panel l2. I I I I I Thedoors of practically all motor vehicles'of the present construction have their lower portions curved inwardly as-illustrated in Fig. 2, in order to conform with the contour of the vehicle body.

Arranged in the door structure to the sides of the opening H, are vertically disposed channels II, and arranged in each channel adjacent to the sides thereof, are vertically disposed tubes i4, elliptical in cross section and composed of thin flexible metal that will yield readily under internalsuction or partial vacuum. The upper ends of these tubes i4 are closed and the lower ends thereof are suitably connected, preferably by means of Y connections It to the outer ends of horizontally disposed tubes l8.

Interposed between the collapsible tubes I4 and the side edges of the window or glass panel l2, are narrow channels I! carrying strips l8 of i felt or the like that directly engage the faces of panel I 2 immediately adjacent to its side edges.

Interposed between the side edges of panel i2 and the inner wall of channel It is a strip l8 of felt or analogous material. The strips l8 and I! provide cushions for the edges of the glass panel and prevent vibration and rattle thereof.

Arranged within the door l8, preferably at av point midway between its sides and immediately below the lower edge-of the opening II, is a vertically disposed cylinder 28 that is elliptical in cross section. This particular construction of cylinder is employed in order that the required piston area may be secured within the limited space between the inner wall of the door and the vertical path of travel of the sliding panel.

Arranged for sliding movement within the elliptic cylinder 28 is a piston 2|, to the underside of which is pivotally connected the upper end of the inner leg 22 of a strap, the outer leg 28 of which projects upwardly outside the cylinder 28.

The upper end of the outer leg 28 of this strap is suitably connected to the lower edge of the window frame or sliding panel l2 and the substantially parallel legs 22 and 23 function as a piston rod connection between piston 2| and the sliding panel.

Leg 22 is arranged for sliding movement on the face of a channel bar 24 having its lower end pivotally connected to the bottom of the door l8 and which bar projects upwardly and terminates within the lower end of cylinder 20.

The upper end of bar 24 is bent to form an inverted L-shaped member 25, the vertical leg of which is loosely supported'by a pin or stud 26 that is seated in the wall of cylinder 20 (see Figs. 5 and 6).

Secured by a rivet 21 or other suitable means to the upper portion of bar 24, just below the inverted L-shaped member 25, is a depending lip or extension that is formed integral with the lower portion of a horizontally disposed open ended loop 28, the outer wall of which overlies the outer face of inner leg 22 of the piston rod member. I I

Suitably secured to the bar 24 and within the loop 28 is a bow spring 28, the free ends of which bear against the inner wall of loop 28. This loop functions as a clutch or brake to engage the leg 22 and clamp the same against bar 24 to hold the window or panel in open, closed or intermediate-positions.

Suitably secured, preferably by means of a stud 30, to the bar 24 below loop 28, is the inner wall of a double-walled disc-shaped diaphragm 8i and carried by the inner wall of this diaphragm isa grooved stud 32, that is engaged by the bifurcated lower end of a lever 38. This lever extends upwardly between the inner wall of loop 28 and the depending leg of the L-shaped member 25 and the upper end of said lever is fulcrumed to the upper portion of said inverted L-shaped member.

Located at any convenient point on the vehicle, preferablyf beneath the engine hood or below the floor of the car body, is a vacuum tank 34 and leading from one end thereof to the intakemanifold of the internal combustion engine that furnishes motive power for the vehicle, is a tube 85. Located in this tube is a check valve comprising a housing 36,.within which is disposed a flexible diaphragm 81, preferably of metal, and formed in the center of i said diaphragm is a relatively small port 88.

This form of check valve is designed to provide a fluid tight joint between the diaphragm and the plug 38 so that a substantial and sumcient degree of vacuum may be maintained within tank 34 fora considerable period of time in order that the window raising and lowering apparatus may function in the desired manner without depending on the suction produced within the intake manifold of the engine. Thus the apparatus may be'operated while the engine is stopped.

Located within the door, preferably to one side of the cylinder 20, is the valve that controls the operation of the window raising and lowering structure and said valve comprises a substationally circular housing 4.8 and an extension housing H, the latter containing the master valve or valve that opens the conduit to the vacuum tank. v

Formed in the extension housing H is a chamber 42, the lower end of which is closed by a flexible portion that is v located so as to perm t the door to swmlli b n its hinges. v A disc valve "is carried by a stem 41 and which valve normally. closesjaport 48' between the chamber 42 the chamber within valve housing M. An expansion spring!!! arranged beneath valve Q6 normally holds ,the :same against its seat. f v I i if Resting on 'theQupper, end of stem 41, is a hardened metal ball. if; i. I

Arranged for 'ro'tatiomwithin valve housing 40 is a short cylindrical valve 5i alarge port 51 and a smaller pants. Seated in the periphery'ot this valve. ii is. a pair of nam ened metal balls 84 that are adaptedto engage ball 59 that bears on the stem of Ivalve ji, such construction eliminating wear and 'reducing friction. 'j' 1 I f K Formed through al'ug or wall that is iormed at one end of port 52 .and' ofn the periphery of valve ii is a port '56}. which}.whe'n valve ii -is in normal position as illustrated incFig. 9 regis ters with a port 'IIithat is stormed infthe; valve housing 40. j t, The peripheral wall of housing v4|! is" provided at its top with a port 58. andiormed in said peripheral'wall tothe sideof jsaidpo'rt 58 is a port 59. Formed in the lower portion. of the peripheral wall oi the, valve housing is' a rport inder 20 is a tube 6] :and leading. from port 59 to the lower portion '01 the cylinder isa tube. 61.

Leading from port downwardly through the door structure is a tube 63, that is connected to the inner "ends or the'ltubesf l'i th lead t the lower ends of the collapsible menibersgll" and leading rrom' saidtubeflss to a mum stud so that communicates with the interior of the dia phragm il is a tube 64;

Valve H is pro that projects through the rear wall of fthefvalve housing 40 and suitably secured tosaid stem immediately adjacentjto mares: wall of the housing is a disc having oppos" ely discharged Y slots or notches 61 formed infitsiedge T Positioned immediately against the face of disc 56 and passing around thestem are oppositely arranged springs 68, the ends. '01,

which overlie each other and said overlying ends being slightly spaced apart. 1 i

Passing between the'spaced ends of these springs and seated in the disc 68,1'adi'acent to the centers of the slots 6], are pins 69 andsimilar pins 10 are seated in the walloi the housing and project between the fspaced ends. .of the,

springs (see Fig. 8);

This arrangement of springs and'pin's is provided in order to normally hold the valve II in its neutral position as illustrated in 9 and to automatically return said valve to neum1 position after having been shifted infeither direction. v

Springs 88 areretained in 7 position on stem 65 by means of .a washer II. t

A stem 12 projects axially from the front side? of valve M and carried by said stem is a han- V die 12 that normally occupies aflvertical position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and J 1 Under normal conditions the valve structure that controls the operation oilthe window raisa ing and lowering device occupies the position as illustrated in Fig. 9 with ports "and closed and with master valve 4! closed and with ports for a considerable period Leading from port" fi l torthe end of cylvided with max m stem "ts v the-lower end of lever-inwardly l8 [against the edges[ot the window i'rame-or panel: and firmly hold same ,in its adjusted posltion. g a

Diaphragm valve II is in its normal expanded position so that the-lowerend of lever 33 is held at its outer limit of movement so that loop 28 s is relieved of pressure by the; upperv portion or said, lever and spring 2,9 exerts pressure on the. inner. wall oi said loop soas 'topcause' the outer wall ,thereoi toexert clampingelpress'ure against leg 22 therebyholding' the-same against vertical movement. Consequently the window frame or panel is heldflrmly in either open, closed orintermediate' position. v I f t '1 i With theparts so positioned, the suction pro-' duced in theintake manifold of the engine while running, will flex diaphragm 31 so as to draw the same, away from the plug; and thereby P ducin .apartial vacuum within tank' 3! and thisv ank is oi suchsize as to retain this vacuum of time when theen- ,,Io lower the window .i'ram'e or sliding panel, handle Ill-is swung a: short distance approxi-" mately 15f toward "the leithand-and 'one oi the gine is stopped. 7

balls 5.! will engage ball; to iorces'tem 41;

carryinge the master valve .away irom-port 48 and at the same: time;esiuiblishingcommunication between ports 58 andls through port Win the; valve and closing port 51. Under such conditions the two valves-within the housings lll and ll occupy the positions as illustrated in Thusv e chamber: within cylinder; 20 above the piston is open to the atmosphere through line Bl -ports; SI, ,5! and 59 and line flrthatr leads to the open lower end of the cylinderandwpartial vacuumthat prevails within tank- 3 4 will be established inthe collapsible: mem':-' bers I4 and the double walled diaphragmzil through line I, the chamber within valve housing ll, ports and 6 0," line 6-3, branch lines The suction produced J by the partial vacuum established in members I I, will collapse'thesame' so as to relieve pressure ofthe. runners on'inthe" side edges of the window-frame -or panelrand diaphragm, will be collapsedsoas-to draw Theupper end oi said leverywhich is will press loop 28 outwardlyagainst the -'resist-' which "-movement'is produced by the window frame orpanel which slides downward under" its ownweight. v

'iul-' 'crumed onthe inverted L-shaped member 25,

Thus the window'or panel may be permittedto lower to its limit of movement or to any-" intermediate position and upon release of them tov their normalpositions with master valve 46 a 115111118512, the ,partsot the valve will return closed, with the result that the vacuumwithin the collapsible members H and. diaphragm 3| being out 0!! will: permit, said members: and diaphragm toexpand to exert-pressure on the edges or the panel and to permit thevbrake or leg 22 againstbar 2L clutch comprising the loop Il-and-spring 29 r to. return to their normal positions ,to clamp valves open for a sufllcient period. of time to permit the window frame or panel to move downward to its limit of movement, the sudden descent of said frame or panel will be arrested and cushioned as it approaches thelower end of its travel as a result of the piston 2| closing the end of line 62 as said piston approaches the lower end of the cylinder.

When the end of theline 62 is closed by the piston, suction will be produced in the chamber within the upper portion of the cylinder through lines-6| and 62'and'ports 58, 53 and 59, and this suction acting upon the piston'will arrest andcushion' its downward movement so as to prevent sudden" jar of the window-frame 0 panel at the lower end of its travel. To elevate the window frame or panel, lever 12 is shifted for a short distance approximately fifteen degrees toward the righthahd as illustratedin Fig. 11 and coincident with this move-- ment one of the balls 54 will engage ball 50 to unseat master valve 46 and port 51 "will be closed and at the same time communication between ports 58 and 60 will be established through port 52. l

The partial vacuum prevailing in tank 34 will now exert suction through line 44, master'valve chamber 42,- ports 60, 52 and 58 and through. line 6| to-the chamber in the cylinder above piston 2|, and this suction will likewise be pro-" duced in the collapsible members l4 and doublewalled diaphragm 3| through line- 63, branch line It and line 64. As a result of thisfpartial vacuum produced in members, thesame will be partially-collapsed .to relieve the pressure on the side edges of the sliding panel and the collapse of the double-walled diaphragm 3| will actuate lever 33 so as to press loop 28 outwardly to 'relieve pressure upon leg 22, thus permitting the window. frame or panel to move upwardly as a result of. the suction produced in the chamber of cylinder 20 acting upon the piston 2| in said cylinder. I

Inasmuch as piston 2| is connected to' the lower end'of the sliding panel by the piston rod member comprising the legs 22 and 23; said panel will be elevated as thepiston' is drawn upward by the partial vacuum prevailing in the cylinder above said piston.

Upon release of the handle 12, the master valve 46 and valve II will return to their normal positions as illustrated in Fig. 9, whereupon the members l4 will expand to exert pressure on the side edges of the window frame or panel and the brake comprising loop 28 and'spring 28 will return to its normal position to clamp leg 2| against bar 24 and thereby firmly hold the'panel in its elevated position.

The cooperating'springs 58 and pins 69 andtion repeatedly even though the engine is not" running, further the collapsible members which normally exert pressure on the side edges of the sliding window'frame or panel to firmly hold the sweat any desired point in its travel and which members are collapsed to relieve the panel releasing means.

of pressure when the same is raised or lowered, further, the brake or clutch, that engages the 'piston rod member between the: piston and sliding panel for engaging and holding said member against movement in eitherdirection .until said brake orclutch is released, the check valve that is locatedin the line between the intake manifold ofthe engine and the vacuum storage tank the convenient and space economizing arrangement whereby practically all of the operating parts of the structure are arranged within the door below the opening for the sliding window frame or panel; I

A further advantageous'feature of my improved construction is the use of an elliptical cyllnder'an'd the construction and combination of "the various parts of the device whereby the same may be conveniently installed inv the curved or convexdoors that are now generally employed in automobile bodies.

'Thus'itwill be seen that I have provided an automobile window operating means that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture and installation'and very effective in performing the functions for which it is inparts 'offmy improved automobile window operating means may be made 'and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which'is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. The combination with a frame provided with,an opening and a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame and adapted to close said opening, of a cylinder. arranged within said frame belowthe opening therein, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder, a substantially U-shaped member providing a connectionbetween said piston and said panel, a guiding support for said U-shaped member, a brake for normally engaging said U-shaped 'member and holding same against movement,

vacuum operated means' 'for effecting a release of said brake, and. means for simultaneously producing vacuum. in the cylinder above said piston and within said vacuum operated brake 2. In an automobile window operating device, the combination with a frame provided with an opening and a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame for closing said opening, of a cylinder arranged within the frame below the opening therein, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder,v a substantially U-shaped piston, rod member connecting said piston with the/lower portion of said sliding panel, a guiding support for said piston rod member, a brake for normally engaging said piston rod member to'hold the same against movement, vacuum actuated means for effecting a release of said brake, collapsible members for normally'exerting pressure on the'slde edges of the sliding panel, and means for simultaneously producing vacuum in the cylinder above said piston, within said brake releasing means, and within said collapsible members.

3. In an automobile window operating device, a frame provided with an opening, a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame and adapted to close the opening therein, a cylinder arranged within the frame below the opening therein, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder, a substantially U-shaped member having the upper end of one of its legs connected to said piston, the upper end of the other leg being connected to the lower portion of the sliding panel, and means for producing a vacuum within the cylinder above the piston therein.

4. An automobile window operating device as set forth in claim 3, a brake for engaging one of the legs of said U-shaped member, and vacuum actuated means for releasing said brake.

5. An automobile window operating device as set forth in claim 3, a brake for engaging one of the legs of said U-shaped member, vacuum actuated means for effecting a release of said brake, and means for simultaneously producing vacuum within the cylinder above said piston and within said vacuum actuated brake releasing means.

6. In an automobile window operating device, a frame provided with an opening, a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame and adapted to close the opening therein, a cylinder arranged within the frame below the opening therein, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder, a member connecting said piston with the lower portion of said sliding panel, means whereby vacuum is produced in the cylinder above said piston to elevate the latter, and means whereby the downward movement of the piston within the cylinder as itapproaches its downward limit of movement produces a partial vacuum within the cylinder above the piston so as to arrest and cushion the movement of said piston during the final portion of its downward travel in said cylinder.

'7. In an automobile window operating device, a frame provided with an opening, a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame for closing the opening therein, a cylinder .arranged within said frame, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder, a substantially U- shaped member having the upper end of one of its legs connected to said piston, the upper end of the other leg being connected to the lower portion of the sliding panel, a guiding member arranged in the lower portion of the frame and engaging one of the legs of said U-shaped member, and a vacuum actuated brake for clamping the leg of said U-shaped member to said guiding member.

8, In an automobile window operating device, a frame provided with an opening, a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame and adapted to close the opening therein, collapsible means for normally exerting pressure on the side edges of the sliding panel, a cylinder arranged within said frame, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder, 9. member connecting said piston with the lower portion of said slidin' panel, a fixed guide for said connecting member, a brake for engaging said connecting member to hold the same against movement, vacuum actuated means for releasing said brake, avacuum tank, a valve, a duct leading from said vacuum tank to said valve, ducts leading from said valve to said collapsible means, ducts leading from said valve to the upper and lower portions of said cylinder, and a duct leading from said valve to said vacuum actuated brake releasing means.

9. In an automobile window operating device, a frame having an opening, a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame for closing the opening therein, a cylinder arranged within the frame below the opening therein, a piston arranged for operation within said cylinder, a substantially U-shaped member having one leg connected to said piston and the other leg to the lower portion of said sliding panel, a guide for one of the legs of said U-shaped member, a brake mounted on said guide, which brake normally engages the leg of the U-shaped member that bears on said guide, vacuum actuated means for effecting a release of said brake, and means for producing a partial vacuum in said cylinder, above the piston therein.

10. An automobile window operating device as set forth in claim 9, withcollapsible members normally engaging the side edges of said sliding panel, and means for producing vacuum in said collapsible means simultaneously with the operation of the vacuum actuated panel elevating means and the vacuum actuated braking releasing means.

11'. In an automobile window operating device, the combination with a frame provided with an opening, the upright side members of which frame are provided with channels, of a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame with its side edges occupying said channels, collapsible members located in said channels on opposite sides of the edges of said panel, narrow channels arranged between the side faces of the panel and said collapsible members, cushions carried by said narrow channels and engaging the side faces of said panel and cushions arranged between the side edges of said panel and the inner walls of the channels on saidupright side members of the frame.

12. In an automobile window operating device, the combination with a frame provided with an opening, the upright side members of which frame are provided with channels, of a panel arranged for sliding movement in said frame and adapted to close the opening therein, collapsible members arranged within said channels, 

